This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
On July 11, 2019, Disney announced that the soundtrack to their new version of the Lion King would be 'steeped in the sounds of Africa', according to the film company.
The first single, Beyoncé's Spirit, was released just a few hours earlier, with the first words in Swahili: "Uishi kwa mda mrefu mfalme," which translates to 'Long live the king.'
English lyrics follow, with Beyoncé singing about rising up to the light and burning one's flame through the night.
The Lion King tells the story of a young lion's journey to become king, and the full album, The Lion King: The Gift, is set to be released in nine days, coinciding with the global release of the film.
According to Beyoncé, the album will feature the work of African producers and a mix of genres, including R&B, hip-hop, and Afro Beat.
